Everyone’s heard an over-the-top “fish tale” in their time, but at the annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, observers will find the tales to hold plenty of truth.

Now in its 54th year, the iconic big-game fishing tournament returns to Hawaii’s Big Island and will once again call the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel home.

From August 3rd through the 10th, teams will fish waters off the Kona coast to compete for world records, based on strict rules set by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). Setting out on fine sport-fishing vessels and under the guidance of expert captains, each team will catch or tag/release powerful Pacific blue marlin. Given the water’s residents, it’s possible that a grander, or fish weighing in at more than 1,000 pounds, will be among those caught.

Teams from Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Vanuatu and across the US are expected to compete, and each day spectators can head out to Kailua Pier, right next to this Kona beach hotel, to check the scoreboard. Teams weigh in at the end of each day after they return at 4:30pm, but the day starts 7:30am, which is a great time to stop by the pier.

This year’s competition will once again be anchored at this hotel near Kealakekua Bay, making it a great choice for sport-fishing fans or families who want a front-row seat to the day’s biggest catches. For more information on the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, visit www.hibtfishing.com.

From August 3rd through the 10th, the 54th annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament returns to Hawaii’s Big Island and will once again call the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel home.